Verbena plant--`Sunmaref TP-C`

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a spreading growth habit verbena plant having long stems. The plant has abundant branching and each node in the branches that contacts the ground commonly forms deep-spreading roots. The plant forms numerous flowers in ascending spikes with a great profusion of blooms. The flowers exhibit petals having a purplish red coloration, with a small pale purplish pink eye. The plant is highly resistant to heat, cold, rain, diseases, and pests.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/100,261,filed Aug. 2, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of verbenaobtained from crossing of one verbena plant (♀) which was selected froma crossing of `Rainbowcarpet Brightpurple` (♀) and a wild type ofverbena plant (♂) native to Brazil, and `Rainbowcarpet Red` (♂). The`Rainbowcarpet Brightpurple` and `Rainbowcarpet Red` parents arebotanically known as Verbena×hybrida Voss.

Verbena of the presently commercialized `Rainbowcarpet` series is asemi-erect growth habit having medium stems, medium branching, and ascant number of flowers in a spike, and has moderate tolerance to heatand cold. Accordingly, this invention was aimed at obtaining a newvariety having a spreading growth habit, much branching, numerousflowers in ascending spikes, high tolerance to heat and cold, andresistances to diseases and pests, which are superior to those of said`Rainbowcarpet` series, and also having a purplish red color.

A crossing of `Rainbowcarpet Brightpurple` as the female parent and awild type of verbena plant native to Brazil as the pollen parent waspracticed, in 1988, at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute forFundamental Research of SUNTORY Ltd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara,Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan. From this crossing, 75seedlings were obtained in the spring of 1988, then a crossing of the 20seedlings which was selected from the 75 seedlings as the female parentand `Rainbowcarpet Red` obtained from TAKII SEED & SEEDLING Corp., asthe pollen parent was practiced at the same place. From this crossing 60seedlings were obtained in the summer of 1988, from which 6 seedlingswere selected, propagated by cutting and then grown as a trial by flowerbedding and potting from the spring of 1989. Only one of the 6 resultingplants was selected. The botanical characteristics of thefinally-selected plant were then examined, using a similar varieties,`Rainbowcarpet Rose` and `Rainbowcarpet Brightpurple`, for comparison,from the spring of 1990, As a result, it was concluded that this verbenaplant is distinguishable from any other variety whose existence is knownto use, and this new variety of verbena plant was named `Sunmaref TP-C`(Tapien Coralred®).

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with theHorticultural Colour Chart of the Royal Horticultural Society, London,England (RHS Color Chart), and the Inter-Society Color Council-NationBureau of Standards Color Name (ISCC-NBC Color Name). A color chartbased on The Japan Color Standard for Horticultural Plants (JHS ColorChart) is also added for reference.

`Rainbowcarpet Brightpurple` used as the female parent in the obtainingof one verbena plant used as the female parent in the breeding of thisnew variety `Sunmaref TP-C` is one of the `Rainbowcarpet` series bred bythe TAKII SEED & SEEDLING Corp., Japan. The `Rainbowcarpet` seriesincludes `Rainbowcarpet Rose`, `Rainbowcarpet White`, `RainbowcarpetRed`, and the like. The main botanical characteristics of `RainbowcarpetBrightpurple` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Semi-erect.

Plant height.--25-30 cm.

Plant extension.--30-35 cm.

Blooming period.--Late April to November.

Stem:

Diameter.--2-3 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Branching.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Some pubescence commonly is present.

Length of internode.--35-40 mm.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Broadly ovate.

Length.--20-25 mm.

Width.--15-20 mm.

Depth of incision.--Deep.

Color.--Deep yellow green (R.H.S. 141A, J.H.S. 3706).

Pubescence.--Some pubescence commonly is present.

Flower:

Direction.--Ascending.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--10-15 mm.

Length.--13-15 mm.

Color.--Vivid purple (R.H.S. 82A, J.H.S. 8606).

Color intensity.--Absent.

Overlapping of petals.--Separate.

Spike.--25-30 mm in length; and 30-35 mm in diameter.

Calyx.--0.5-1.0 cm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Present.

Peduncle.--Less than 2 mm in diameter; and 6.0-8.0 cm in length.

Number of flowers.--Few (9±2).

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.--Moderate resistance topests and diseases, and moderate tolerance to cold and heat.

The plant used as the pollen parent in the obtaining of the femaleparent in the breeding of this new variety `Sunmaref TP-C` is a wildtype of verbena plant native to South Brazil and this wild type of plantis presently maintained at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of SUNTORYLtd. The main botanical characteristics of the pollen parent are asfollows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Spreading.

Plant height.--10-15 cm.

Plant extension.--80-100 cm.

Blooming period.--Late April to November.

Stem:

Extending.--40-50 cm.

Diameter.--2-3 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Branching.--Abundant.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Length of intermode.--20-30 mm.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Ovate.

Length.--15-20 mm.

Width.--10-15 mm.

Depth of incision.--Deep.

Color.--Deep yellow green (R.H.S. 141A, J.H.S. 3706).

Pubescence.--Medium.

Flower:

Direction.--Ascending.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--10-15 mm.

Length.--12-15 mm.

Color.--Brilliant purple (R.H.S. 86C, J.H.S. 8604).

Color intensity.--Absent.

Overlapping of petals.--Separate.

Spike.--30-40 mm in length; and 35-40 mm in diameter.

Calyx.--0.5-1.0 cm in length.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Absent.

Peduncle.--1-2 mm in thickness; and 30-50 mm in length.

Number of flowers.--Medium (10±2).

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.--High resistance todiseases and pests, and high tolerance to heat and cold.

`Rainbowcarpet Red` used as the pollen parent in the breeding of thisnew variety `Sunmaref TP-C` is one of the `Rainbowcarpet` series bred bythe TAKII SEED & SEEDLING Corp., Japan. The main botanicalcharacteristics of the `Rainbowcarpet Red` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Semi-erect.

Plant height.--25-30 cm.

Plant extension.--20-25 cm.

Blooming period.--Late April to November.

Stem:

Diameter.--2-3 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Branching.--Medium.

Pubescence.--Some pubescence commonly is present.

Length of internode.--35-40 mm.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Broadly ovate.

Length.--20-25 mm.

Width.--15-20 mm.

Depth of incision.--Shallow.

Color.--Deep yellow green (R.H.S. 141A, J.H.S. 3706).

Pubescence.--Some pubescence commonly is present.

Flower:

Direction.--Ascending.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--10-15 mm.

Length.--13-15 mm.

Color.--Vivid red (R.H.S. 42A, J.H.S. 0707).

Color intensity.--Absent.

Overlapping of petals.--Separate.

Spike.--25-40 mm in length; and 30-35 mm in diameter.

Calyx.--0.5-1.0 cm in length.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Present.

Peduncle.--Less than 2 mm in diameter; and 6.0-8.0 cm in length.

Number of flowers.--Medium (10±2).

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens.

Physiological and ecological characteristics.--Moderate resistance todiseases and pests, and moderate tolerance to cold and heat.

This new variety of verbena plant, `Sunmaref TP-C` was asexuallyreproduced by cuttings at the aforementioned the Plant BiotechnologyLaboratory, Institute for Fundamental Research of SUNTORY Ltd., residingat 2931-1 Torihara, Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan, andthe homogeneity and stability thereof were confirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of verbena plant has a spreading growth habit havingvery long stems and being very low in height, and the spreading area ofplant is broad and thus is very different from similar varieties,`Rainbowcarpet Rose`, and `Rainbowcarpet Brightpurple`. The plant hasabundant branching and forms numerous flowers in ascending spike, with agreat profusion of blooms which are clearly distinguishable from thesimilar varieties, `Rainbowcarpet Rose`, and `RainbowcarpetBrightpurple`, and the whole bush remians in bloom for a considerableperiod of time, longer than the blooming period of `Rainbowcarpet Rose`.The length of internode of the new variety is slightly shorter than thatof similar varieties, with each node that contacts the ground commonlyforms deep-spreading roots, which firmly hold to the ground. The petalcolor of the flowers changes from vivid purplish red color (at thebeginning of blooming) to right purplish pink color with small platepurplish pink eye color. The plant is highly resistant to cold, heat,diseases, and pests.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of verbena plant;

FIG. 2 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofverbena plant planted in a flower bed;

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a cluster (1), aflower (2), a bud (3), a surface view of the flower (4), a rear view ofthe flower (5), a cross-sectional view of the flower (6), and a branch(7), of the new variety of verbena plant; and

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a cluster (1), aflower (2), a bud (3), and a branch (4) of a similar variety`Rainbowcarpet Rose`, in comparison with corresponding items (5-8) ofthe new variety of verbena plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of verbenaplant, `Sunmaref TP-C` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Spreading.

Plant height.--20-25 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stem extends to a length of 40-50 cm, withsemi-upward portion at the end, and thus the spreading area of the plantis 80-100 cm.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching and a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable period oftime.

Blooming period.--Late April to November, in all areas of Japan.

Ploidy.--Normal.

Stem:

Diameter.--Less than 2 mm.

Anthocyanin pigmentation.--Absent.

Branching.--Abundant; each node contacting the ground commonly formsdeep-spreading roots.

Length of internode.--25-35 mm.

Pubescence.--Some pubescence commonly is present.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite.

Shape of blade.--Progressively cut deeply into the branches in 2 to 3,or more, stages.

Length.--30-35 mm.

Width.--20-25 mm.

Depth of incision.--Deep.

Color.--Moderate yellow green (R.H.S. 137C, J.H.S. 3712).

Pubescence.--Some pubescence is commonly present.

Stipules.--Absent.

Flower:

Direction.--Ascending.

Outward curvature of petal.--Slightly curved.

Diameter.--15-20 mm.

Length.--14-16 mm.

Cluster.--Umbel; formed from 8 flowers.

Color.--Vivid purplish red (R.H.S. 57B, J.H.S. 9707), at the beginningof blooming; right purplish pink (R.H.S. 65B, J.H.S. 9203), at fullblooming, with an eye color which is pale purplish pink (R.H.S. 62D,J.H.S. 9202).

Color intensity.--Present.

Overlapping of petals.--Separate.

Spike.--30-40 mm in length; and 40-50 mm in diameter.

Calyx.--0.8-1.0 cm in length. It is typical for the genus.

Anthocyanin pigmentation of calyx limb.--Generally present in noparticular pattern.

Peduncle.--2-3 mm im thickness; and 7.0-10.0 cm in length.

Number of flowers.--Medium (8±2).

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens. Seeds commonly are formedin a very low frequency.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High tolerance to cold andheat. The new variety is perennial and has satisfactory withstoodtemperatures as low as 0° C. and as high as 35° C. when grown in thefield at Osaka, Japan. Also strong resistance to pests and diseases,particularly powdery mildew. The pinching of spent spikes commonly isnecessary for a continuation of blossom production. Thinning is notrequired to maintain the new variety.

This new variety of verbenz plant is most suitable for flower beddingand pitting, particularly in planters, and is further serves well as aground cover. The new variety grows well in full sun, and has noparticular fertilizer requirement for good performance. The plant alsogrows well in the shade, but commonly does not bloom well in the absenceof sunlight. A very strong resistance to mildew is exhibited by the newvariety.

The plant of this new variety, `Sunmaref TP-C` is presently planted andmaintained at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute forFundamental Research of SUNTORY Ltd., residing at 2913-1 Torihara,Hakushu-cho, Kitakoma-gun, Yamanashi-ken, Japan.

We claim:
 1. A new distinct variety of verbenz plant, substantially asherein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by (A) a spreading growth habit with long stems, (B) theformation of abundant branching with each node of said spreadingbranches that contacts the ground commonly forming deep-spreading roots,(C) the formation of many flowers borne on ascending spikes to create agreat profusion of blooms, (D) the formation of flowers that have petalswhich exhibit a purplish red coloration with a small pale purplish pinkeye coloration, and (E) a high resistance to heat, cold, rain, diseasesand pests.